Apron



Patented May ,11, 1937 UNITED STATES "PATENT OFFICE APRON Y 'Joseph L. Laib, Albany, Nl Y. Application February 25, 1936, Serial No.`65(,595

l Ciaim.

My invention more particularly relates to an apron provided with means by which the same may be made tight about the neck of the customer or other person who may desire to use the apron. The apron embodying my invention is particularly useful where the same is intended as a shampoo apron although it is not limited to this particular use as obviously it may be used to advantage on the patients of doctors and dentists and in other situations where it may be desirable to prevent liquid or other material from reaching the neck of the user and from soiling his clothes.

The ordinary shampoo apron is commonly open at the back, and closed by buttons. The opening thus formed in the apron when closed obviously cannot t tightly about the neckwith the consequence that when a hair dresser is giving a shampoo, it is difficult to prevent the liquid and the shampoo material used in giving the shampoo from reaching the neck of the customer and to which the customer quite naturally seriously objects.

In accordance with my invention the apron is preferably closed by a zipper which may be of common construction and which is so arranged with respect to the apron that the latter may be tightly closed about the neck of the customer thereby precludng liquid or other material from nding its way to the neck.

A further object of my invention is the provision of an apron provided with a zipper and provided with associated means for preventing the hooked metallic interlocking portions of the zipper from bearing directly against the skin and particularly the neck of the customer.

My invention will best be understoodby reference to the accompanying drawing in which Fig. l is a fragmentary perspective view of the upper portion of a shampoo apron embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary front view of the lower portion of the zipper and showing a well known construction by which the two parts or elements of the zipper are made entirely separable;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary front view illustrating the manner in which a flap overlies the hooked portion of one element of the zipper;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of an apron and the zipper illustrating flaps overlying the respective hooked portions of the two elements of the zipper:

Fig. 5 is a section taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 4, and

Fig. 6 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 5 illustrating a modification.

Like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the drawing.

Referring to the drawing III is the upper portion of a shampoo apron in connection with which I have illustrated my invention, and 5 which may be formed of any desired material such as` oiled silk, cotton cloth, rubberized cotton or any other desired material. The apron is open from top to bottom thereby presenting free edges at I I, to which are secured two complemen- 10 tary interlocking elements I2 and I2I respectively, of a zipper indicated generally at I3. The zipper may be of a well known type in which the two elements are entirely separable, Fig. 2 illustrating a well known construction located at the bottom of the zipper for accomplishing the foregoing purpose. A metallic member I4 is secured to the fabric at one side of the dividing line of the apron, the said plate being provided with a front lip or flange I5, a similar rear lip (not illustrated) forming a groove with the front lip I5 in which is received a plate I6 secured to the fabric on the opposite side of the dividing line of the apron. The two elements of the zipper are secured to respective strips of fabric I1 which 25 are in turn secured to the apron and form a substantial continuation of the neck band.

The upper portion of the apron is provided with a portion which engages the neck of the customer, and which is preferably provided with a neckband I8 which is of insufficient length to extend completely around or encircle the neck of any intended user. The two complementary interlocking hooked elements I2 and IZI of the zipper preferably extend substantially to the neckband I8 so that when the two elements of the zipper are closed by the metal tab |22, the collar portion of the apron is drawn tightly around the neck of the customer thereby preventing access of liquid or other material to the neck.

In accordance with my invention means are provided for preventing direct engagement of the metallic hooked portion of the elements I2 and I2I with the neck of the customer, which en- 45 gagement might create a somewhat disagreeable sensation. In the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, overlapping flaps I9 are attached to the respective free edges of the apron along the dividing line and on the inside and which cover the interiors of the hooked elements when the apron is closed as illustrated in Figs. 3, 4 and 5 and w 'ch obviously prevent direct engagement between the interlocking elements and the neck of the customer.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Fig. 6 members 20 preferably formed of soft material such as felt and of substantial thickness are secured along the free edges of the apron and adjacent to the interlocking portions l 2 and |2| and on the interior of the apron which engage the neck of the customer and serve to hold the interlocking elements away from the neck.

The apron embodying my invention and which is provided with a zipper may, therefore, be openedand closed quickly by the zipper. A same time the neck portion of the apron is brought closely around the neck of the customer and Without bringing the interlocking portions of the zipper into direct engagement with the neck of the customer to his discomfort.

While I have described my invention in its preferred embodiment, itis to be understood that the words which I have used are words of description and not of limitation. Hence, changes within the purview of the appended claims may be made Without departing from the true scope and spirit of my invention in its broader aspects.

What I claim is:

A shampoo apron comprising a neckband of insuicient length completely to encircle the neck of the user, said apron being open from top to bottom, a slide fastener comprising two cooperating interlocking elements secured to the respective edges of said apron and extending substantially to the ends of said neckband and forming a substantial continuation thereof whereby the closing of said slide fastener causes said neckband and the cooperating parts closely to engage the neck of the user.

JOSEPH L. LAIB. 

